The vaccination schedule for infants and children is one of the most important health practices for healthy growth and development.
Vaccines protect children from dangerous infectious diseases while also ensuring public health.
As of 2025 , the new childhood vaccination schedule updates, determined by the Turkish Ministry of Health, are in line with international health standards.

Magnet Hospital offers families vaccination schedule counseling, vaccination applications and child health check-up services.

1. What is Vaccine?

Vaccines  are liquids prepared in a laboratory environment, consisting of dead or weakened bacteria and viruses, designed to strengthen the body's immune system against disease  .
Vaccines are administered to protect the body from disease.

Vaccines  can be administered in the arm  or  leg , depending on preference  ; some vaccines  need to be administered orally  or  subcutaneously  .

Vaccination is included in the preventive health services that countries offer free of charge to their citizens.

2. What are the types of vaccines?

Vaccines can be classified as live, killed, toxoid, subunit, conjugate, mRNA, vector and protein based.

Vaccination types and descriptions:

a. Live Attenuated Vaccines

A weakened version of disease-causing microorganisms is used.
It can multiply in the body but does not cause disease; it creates a strong immune response.
Examples:  Measles-Rubella-Mumps, Chickenpox, Rotavirus, Live Polio (OPV)

b. Inactive (Dead) Vaccines

It is prepared by completely killing microorganisms.
Examples:  IPV (Inactivated Polio), Hepatitis A, Influenza vaccine

c. Toxoid (Toxin-Based) Vaccines

Inactivated forms of bacterial toxins are used.
Examples:  Tetanus, Diphtheria

d. Subunit Vaccines

Only the immune-producing parts of the microorganism are used instead of the entire microorganism.
Examples:  Hepatitis B, HPV, and some meningitis vaccines.

e. Conjugated Vaccines

Weak antigens are combined with other molecules to boost immunity.
Examples:  Hib, Meningitis, Pneumonia (Pneumococcal) vaccines

f. mRNA Vaccines

A piece of the virus's genetic information is used to prompt the body to produce protective proteins.
Examples:  COVID-19 mRNA (BioNTech, etc.)

g. Vector Vaccines

A harmless virus is used as a carrier.
Examples:  COVID-19 (AstraZeneca, Sputnik V)

h. Protein-Based Vaccines

Purified protein fragments produced in a laboratory environment are used.
Examples:  Some COVID-19 vaccines, HPV

3. Side Effects and Harms of Vaccines in Babies and Children

Vaccines are the most important preventive health practices developed to protect infants and children from serious and potentially fatal infectious diseases.
As with any medical procedure, vaccines can cause side effects, but most are mild and temporary.

a. Common and Mild Side Effects

• Fire

• Redness, swelling, or pain in the injection area

• Unrest

• Fatigue, sleepiness

• Anorexia

• Insomnia

• joint pain

These side effects  usually subside within 3–4 days.
Paracetamol can be given if necessary, as recommended by a doctor.

b. Rare Side Effects

• Fever over 38.5°C

• Hardening and large swelling in the arm/area

• Rash or mild allergic reactions

It usually resolves quickly.

c. Rare but Serious Side Effects

• Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)  — Very rare (1–2 in a million)

• Febrile convulsion (seizure due to fever)

• Extreme local reaction, bruising, intense swelling

What Families Need to Know

• A mild fever after vaccination is normal.

• Serious side effects are very rare.

• Not vaccinating significantly increases a child's risk of contracting deadly diseases.

• If any unusual symptoms (very high fever, difficulty breathing, change in consciousness) are observed, a doctor should be consulted.

4. 2025 Vaccination Schedule Updates

Some changes have been made to the 2025 vaccination schedule for children born after January 1, 2016.
These changes  were prepared in line with scientific data  and  WHO recommendations  .

For detailed information, you can visit the Turkish Ministry of Health website.

5. The Importance of Vaccines in Babies and Children

Because babies' immune systems are not fully developed, infectious diseases can be very severe during this period.
Vaccines significantly reduce the risk of death and disability from these diseases.

The Importance of Vaccines:

• It provides immunity.

• It strengthens community immunity.

• It prevents fatal diseases.

• It protects future generations.

Magnet Hospital offers regular follow-up and professional counseling to parents.

6. How Do Vaccines Work in Babies and Children?

The immune system recognizes dead or weakened microorganisms administered through vaccines.
These immune cells  develop a memory against these microorganisms  , and this memory persists for many years.

When the child encounters the same microorganism again, the immune system  responds immediately  and the disease either does not occur at all or is very mild.

7. What is the Vaccination Schedule?

Countries implement a "vaccine calendar" to ensure herd immunity and prevent diseases in childhood.

In this way:

• Infant and child mortality rates decrease.

• Epidemics are prevented.

• The burden of serious diseases is reduced.

• Healthcare expenses are reduced.

  
  

8. 2025 Child Vaccination Calendar by Month

a. Vaccinations Given at Birth

• Hepatitis B (1st dose)

b. 1st Month Vaccine

• Hepatitis B (2nd dose)

c. 2nd Month Vaccine

• BCG (Tuberculosis vaccine)

• DaBT-IPA-Hib (combined vaccine: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, Hib)

• KPA (Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine)

• Rotavirus (oral, first dose)

d. 4th Month Vaccine

• DaBT-IPA-Hib (2nd dose)

• KPA (2nd dose)

• Rotavirus (2nd dose)

e. 6th Month Vaccine

• DaBT-IPA-Hib (3rd dose)

• Hepatitis B (3rd dose)

• KPA (3rd dose)

f. 12th Month Vaccine

• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (KKK)

• KPA booster

• Varicella

g. 18th Month Vaccine

• DaBT-IPA-Hib (booster dose)

h. 4–6 Year Old Vaccinations

• DaBT-IPA booster

• KKK (2nd dose)

1. Age 9 (Recommended for girls)

• HPV vaccine (started to be added to the official calendar as of 2025)

9. Benefits of Following the Vaccination Schedule

• Minimizes the risk of disease

• Increases school-age health safety

• Contributes to the prevention of epidemics

• Keeps children's immune system strong

Magnet Hospital provides information to families before and after vaccination.

10. What You Need to Know About Vaccination Practices

• Mild fever, rash, and irritability are normal after vaccination.

• It is recommended that the child not be sick on the day of the vaccination.

• If the vaccine is delayed, it should be made up as soon as possible.

• It is very important to store vaccines in cold chain conditions.

11. Things to Consider in Vaccination Applications

a. Timing

It's very important to get your vaccinations on time.
If you miss a dose, you should definitely consult your pediatrician.

b. Cold Chain

The storage conditions, shelf life and cold chain of vaccines must be checked.

c. Side Effects

Families should be informed about possible side effects.

12. Can Different Vaccines Be Administered at the Same Time?

Yes.
Many vaccines can be administered on the same day and are medically safe.

• The immune system can respond to more than one antigen simultaneously

• Protection is provided faster

• It is an application recommended by WHO and the Ministry of Health.

• Rarely, pain and mild fever may occur at the injection site.

13. Do Vaccines Cause Autism?

No. There is no scientific evidence
that vaccines cause autism  .

• The 1998 fraudulent study has been retracted

• WHO, American Academy of Pediatrics and scientific organizations:  Vaccines do not cause autism

• The cause of autism is genetic and environmental factors.

Not getting vaccinated leads to serious health risks.

14. In what cases is vaccination not administered?

15. Frequently Asked Questions

a. Why was the 2025 vaccination calendar updated?

In line with new scientific data and international standards.

b. Do vaccines have side effects?

Mild fever and rash may occur; serious side effects are very rare.

c. What if the child gets sick on the day of the vaccination?

A mild cold is not an obstacle; if there is a high fever, it is postponed.

d. Is HPV vaccination mandatory?

It is not mandatory, but recommended for girls over 9 years old.

e. What are live vaccines?

Measles, rubella, mumps, chickenpox, rotavirus, OPV.

f. Application in babies of Hepatitis B carrier mothers?

As soon as the baby is born, Hepatitis B + immune globulin is administered within the first 12 hours.

g. Which vaccine leaves a scar on the arm?

BCG (Tuberculosis vaccine).

h. How are vaccinations tracked?

Vaccination card, through pediatrician and family doctor.

i. Does the government cover the cost of vaccines?

Yes, most vaccines are free.

i. Are vaccines administered in the arm or the leg?

Until the age of 2, from the leg; after the age of 2, from the arm.

j. What are the mandatory baby vaccines?

Hepatitis B, BCG, DaBT-IPA-Hib, KPA, OPV, KKK, Chickenpox, Hepatitis A.

k. Can vaccination be administered while there is an infection?

It is not performed in serious infections; it is not an obstacle to a mild cold.

l. Situations in which live vaccines should not be administered?

Anaphylaxis, immunodeficiency, pregnancy, serious infection, immune globulin therapy.

Vaccination Schedule Table

Safe Vaccine Tracking with Magnet Hospital

Magnet Hospital offers consultancy on the safe administration and monitoring of childhood vaccinations.

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